01/28/2019

Rules to Live By

“Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle” – Napoleon Hill

Justin Champion offered the following observations printed in the 4/20/16 edition of Wild We Wander.

Life is a rollercoaster; there are a lot of ups, downs and unexpected turns. So, try to enjoy the opportunities that are always presented.

While it may sound a lot easier said than done, here are some ways to nurture a healthy, happy life.

Smile and laugh every day. Choose to make the day worth living.

Let go of pain. You can always remember the past, but you only get one shot for today.

You are in control of your emotions. Don’t let others tell you how to feel and don’t expect someone to change the way you feel.

Stay weird. There’s only one you. Be unique. Be the black sheep.

Value experiences, not material objects. Declutter yourself and fill your mind with memories that can’t be taken away.

You didn’t get here by yourself. Appreciate those around you who helped you get where you are today.

Be your biggest fan. You’re stuck with yourself so learn to love you.

Enjoy your successes. You earned it.

Know how to bounce back from failure. Fail early and fail often. Learn and adapt.

Do what you love and love what you do. Find a way to make your passion your life’s purpose. If you're not sure how to do this, then keep trying.

You only have one body. Your body's a temple. Worship it and keep it healthy.

Take ownership for your actions. We all make mistakes. There’s no use in blaming others. Own up and move on.

Surround yourself with others who make you feel good. If you’re in a toxic relationship, then you have the choice to get out. You deserve the right to be happy.

Find a partner who makes you the best version of yourself. You deserve to be happy. The “one” will truly want this for you as well.

Never give up on your dreams. Anything is possible. You just have to believe it and keep after it even if it’s not easy.

Be patient. Things take time. Rushing leads to errors. If it’s meant to happen it’ll happen.

Stop talking and listen. Engage, don’t broadcast. The best conversations start with listening.

Don’t let others bring you down. Believe in yourself. If you think it’s possible, then that’s all that matters.

Don’t sweep problems under a rug. Ignoring problems can lead to build-ups that are set to explode. Take the time to understand what happened and why.

Step out of your comfort zone. Try something new. You may like it.

Know how to adjust when things don’t go your way. Things rarely end up the way you planned. Learn to be open to new ideas and opportunities.

Genuine gratitude goes a long way. Take the time to make someone else’s day brighter. Positive energy spreads like wildfire.

It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. It doesn’t matter if you fall. Pick yourself back up and finish what you started.

Live within your means. Debt will consume your happiness. If you can’t afford it, then you don’t need it.

Give without expecting in return. Positive deeds always find a way back to you. Don’t expect it. It will find its way back.

Have a positive mental attitude. Negativity is a disease. Positive energy will help you through any situation you encounter.

Manifest your dreams into reality. The mind is a powerful tool. If you’re driven and consistent in approach, then you’ll continue getting closer to achieving what you want.

You can’t control others. We all have free will. You may not always agree with those around you (family, friends, strangers), but you have to respect their decisions.

Learn from your mistakes. Your best teacher is your last mistake. Every misstep is a growth opportunity. Sulking or wallowing in self-pity won’t get you anywhere. Take the time to understand what went wrong and what you would do differently in the future.

A boat floats until it sinks. As long as you’re still breathing, there’s still a chance to turn things around. Giving up should never be an option.

If you’re not doing some of the above, consider adopting them. It may help change your life for the better.